51 Peaks Near You

Everyone enjoys collecting mementos from travels; stickers stating: “I survived…” “I climbed…” and “I’ve been to…” plaster many travelers gear, cargo boxes, and rear vehicle windows. Along with these trophies the journey, exploration, and achievement in the wild is the true memento and trophy for the backcountry athlete. We travel and push our limits on some of the toughest terrain available to gain the experiences these places have to offer. We only gain and grow stronger from the sweat, bruises, and strained muscles achieved from challenges on harsh trails, rugged mountains, and steep rock faces.

No doubt, when someone mentions Europe visions of the soaring peaks of the Alps emerge in your mind. You visualize the jagged ridgelines of the Chilean Mountains and sawtooth peaks of Patagonia during conversations of South America. You watch snow gusts surge across the Himalaya every time you see Tibetan prayer flags waving in the wind. And when you think of the new world, while it was still new and uncharted, you imagine the first peoples to explore, discover, and conquer its peaks.

Fortunately, most all the high points in what was once known as the new world are still wildernesses and can be explored and climbed in the same way their original discoverers summited them. And there is one near you. Every state in the U.S. harbors its own unique highest point. They come in all skill levels; some can be summited as a day-hike while others require technical skills and in-depth preparation.

While many collect mementos from each place they go, some collect summits.

Here’s the list of the highest points in every state including D.C. do with it what I know you will.